Aston Villa officials jet to Spain as they look to close a deal for Sevilla transfer guru Monchi
Aston Villa officials fly to Spain to secure a deal for Sevilla transfer guru Monchi after Unai Emery made him his number 1 target…but the club faces stumbling blocks
- Unai Emery is keen for Monchi to take on a senior strategic role at Aston Villa
- Transfer guru Monchi thinks he should be able to leave Sevilla for free
- He also has a three-month notice period, which his club should waive
Aston Villa officials were in Spain on Tuesday hoping to secure a deal for Sevilla’s transfer chief Monchi.
Villa boss Unai Emery identified Monchi – full name Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo – as his number 1 target for a senior strategic role at the club after Mateu Alemany turned down Villa to stay at Barcelona.
But the deal turns out to be complicated. Monchi has a £1.7million release clause in his contract which Villa is willing to pay, although the 54-year-old believes he can leave for free as a gesture of goodwill.
Monchi has worked for Sevilla for 21 years, divided over two periods.
Another complication is that Monchi would have a three-month notice period in his contract, which Sevilla would have to give up to allow him to start immediately at Villa.
Aston Villa figures are in Spain looking for a deal for Seville transfer guru Monchi
Unai Emery has identified Monchi as his No. 1 target for a senior strategic role at Villa Park
Otherwise, he would not be able to accept the post until after the summer transfer window has ended.
Monchi would be a key puzzle piece for Emery, who has been effectively put in charge of football operations at the club following the departure of Christian Purslow as CEO on Monday.
Sources in Spain insist these protracted negotiations are more than just a power play by Monchi to improve his working conditions in Seville.
If he left, he would be turning his back on a club that is playing in the Champions League next season.
Under Monchi’s leadership, Sevilla made a series of excellent, low-cost purchases that were resold for a significant profit.
Brazilian star Dani Alves and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic are perhaps the best known, although Villa paid £30 million for defender Diego Carlos a year ago – a £15 million profit for Sevilla.
He also developed a youth system that produced Sergio Ramos, one of the most successful players of the modern era.
Villa sealed Europa Conference League football last season and will strengthen this summer
The club was turned down by Barcelona’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, earlier this month
